Thoughts and Happenings in Haywood County

Tag Archives: Cataloochee Ski

Have you ever heard anyone say that there is nothing to do in Haywood County during the winter months? Well, at least in my opinion, they are wrong! There is so much to do in the coming weeks that it is going to take at least two blog posts this week to cover it all!

I’ve posted some events today. I was trying to get everything in one post but it was getting way too long – I didn’t even want to finish it! So look out tomorrow for another post. And as always, if you have events not listed, send me a message or comment on the blog with the details. Thanks and have a great day!

Ongoing

Cataloochee Ski Area has ongoing programs for skiers of all levels from beginners to the most advanced. There are also snowboarding programs for all levels. The CAT Adult Challenge Cup Race Series is on Thursday nights. Registration is at 6pm, racing starts at 7pm. On Sundays, there is NASTAR public racing at the CAT with registration beginning at 11am. Everyone can participate, helmets and goggles are required. Alley Cat Racing Trail will be closed from 12 noon until 4pm for racing on Sunday. You can check out their website for more information at www.cataloochee.com

Smoky Mountain Sk8way has skating, wall climbing and fun and games galore! There regular schedule is Wednesday Night 6-9pm; Fridays 6-11pm; Saturday day session 11-6pm and night session 6-11pm; Sunday 1-6pm. They are always open for school or church events as long as there are 30 people or more scheduled to attend. You can call 828-246-9124 for more information.

January 9 through January 17

Ms. Arty Pants has events and activities just for you! They do ask that you call or text to register so that materials can be available for your art experience. January 9 Open Paint After school 330 to 530; January 10 Open Paint; January 12 Midnight Paint 10p to 12a; January 15 Toddler Tuesday; January 16 Morning Open Paint 9a to 11a and After School Open Paint 330 to 530; January 17 Open Paint 7p to 9p. The number to call or text to register or for more details is 828-400-6232.

January 11

Smoky Mountain Cinema has announced that “Les Miserables”, “Lincoln”, and “The Guilt Trip” will all start showing on Friday, January 11th! Show times and the complete lineup can be found by calling 828-452-9091.

The Canton Armory will be the site for the an indoor “Pickin’ in the Park”! This event is scheduled to be held twice monthly until it can once again be held outside. This session will have the Lisa Price Band and the Dixie Darlings and the Mountain Traditions Square Dance teams. Call Carroll Nelson at 828-648-2287. The event is free and open to the public.

January 13

The Pisgah Promenade Square Dance Club will hold a snowflake dance from 645 until 845 pm at the Old Armory Recreation Center on Boundary Street in Waynesville.

Haywood County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual elected officials reception on January 15 beginning at 530pm at Laurel Ridge Country Club. There is a $10 registration fee. Call 828-456-3021 for details.

Voices in the Laurel is having auditions for new youth singers from area counties in grades 1-12 on Tuesday January 15th in Waynesville including a new ensemble featuring changed male voices! For more information or an audition appointment, please call (828) 734-8413. www.voicesinthelaurel.org

January 16 through February 9

The Haywood County Arts Council will host an exhibition entitled Fire and Ice: Pottery, Glass and Metalwork”. Gallery 86 on North Main Street in Waynesville is open 10am until 5pm Monday through Saturday. There will be an artist reception on Friday January 25 from 6-8pm. You can find more details at www.haywoodarts.org or on their Facebook page.

January 19

MLK Holiday Weekend will begin with a pride march that starts at Harris Chapel AME Zion Church on Prospect Street in Canton. The march will be followed by the showing of the movie “Skin” at the Colonial Theatre. The movie will be shown for free at 1pm and again at 6pm. Call 828-646-0125 for more details.

January 20

MLK Holiday Commemorative Service will be held at 3pm at the Church of God of Prophecy in Canton. Call 828-646-0125 for more details.

January 21

MLK Holiday Prayer Breakfast will be held at Lambuth Inn at Lake Junaluska Assembly. Breakfast begins at 8am. Tickets are available for sale at the Bethea Welcome Center. Call 828-646-0125 for more details.

January 22

Altrusa Annual Soup and Cornbread. The funds raised from this event go to scholarships for Haywood county students. Each year Altrusa awards about $8000 in scholarships and all these monies come from the sales at the Soup and Cornbread. The event is Tuesday January 22nd. Tickets are $8.00. Visit www.waynesvillealtrusa.org for more information.

January 24

Haywood County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals will be hosting their first professional development event of the new year on January 24 at 8am at Bethea Welcome Center. Contact the Chamber or join them on Facebook for more details. Andrew Sanderbeck of People Connect Institute will be the guest speaker.

February 23

The Blue Ridge Bridal Event will be held at Lake Junaluska Assembly. The event is being presented by the Mountaineer Publishing Company. Vendor spaces are still available by calling 828-452-0661 x125 or x129.

I’ve held off writing this post because I have been at a loss for what to say. So many things have run through my mind and heart in the last 6 days that it is hard to pin them down and then to pen them down.

Like many of you, at times, I’ve been overwhelmed with sadness and despair and at the same time thankfulness and undeserved blessing. I’ve felt the joy of holding my children close, the sadness of seeing the fear in their eyes. I’ve laughed at their silly antics and answered their questions even as I struggled with my own questions.

It seems easy to say that I support and pray for the people of Sandy Hook community and the faculty and staff at all of our schools. It seems easy to blame the lack of mental health service options and the broad range of weapons available. It is never that easy.

In the end, as many of you who know me well can attest, I will pray and continue to pray: for peace in our hearts and souls; for the people of Sandy Hook community; for the faculty and staff at all of our schools; for the right dialog to occur to make these incidents stop; for guidance to do my part; for those suffering with mental disorders and illnesses and their caregivers; for courage for our political leaders who stand at the edge of meaningful change; for our democracy and the protection of our freedoms; for gun control discussions to be open and meaningful and complete on all sides of the issue; and for guidance and direction and movement in the faith community to be a part of the dialog and work in a meaningful way.

I also believe that to stop our lives and stand still in fear and despair is to allow the terror in our lives to “win”. It is with that spirit, that I post today’s list of activities for the weekend. If you have any events coming up for your group, organization or business, please send the information to me as a comment here or at funthingsetc@gmail.com I have people asking about family friendly New Year’s Eve activities, so that will be especially appreciated!

Thank you, Happy Advent, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Remember to support our local galleries, shops and restaurants. Purchase those gift cards at your favorites and help spread the word about them through gifts! No amount is too small because every dollar makes a difference. Most local shops have sales and specials going on right now in advance of the holidays so check out their wares.

ONGOING

Smoky Mountain Model Railroaders have their model trains on exhibit at Lambuth Inn this holiday season. The exhibit will run through December 20 and is open to the public. The exhibit will be open during times when meals are served at the Lambuth Inn. If there are no reservations for a particular meal, the exhibit will not be open. So if you want to be sure to see it, make a reservation to eat! Call Sam Hopkins with Smoky Mountain Model Railroaders at 773-9550 for more information.

The Haywood County Arts Council show, “It’s A Small, Small Work” will continue through the end of the month. Gallery 86 is located at 86 North Main Street in Waynesville. The Gallery is open 10am until 5pm Monday through Saturday except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Call 828-452-0593 for more details.

Smoky Mountain Sk8way always has fun stuff going on with skating and a climbing wall and fun activities.

Smoky Mountain Jumphouse is open to get all of the holiday energy out! Call them for hours and details.

Cattaloochee Ski Area will be open until sometime in March. Hours, slopes and conditions change constantly so check their website. I’ll announce special upcoming events and days as I have information.

December 20

Tipping Point Tavern in Waynesville will be hosting Beermageddon on Thursday 12-20/ 2012. The event will have activities throughout the day with door prizes and music. There will be jazz in the afternoon with Ian Moore performing live beginning at 7pm. Food and drink specials will also be available. This is a customer appreciation event as well as a celebration of our “last night on Earth” according to the Mayan calendar. Call or check their Facebook page for more details. 828-246-9230

December 21

The Classic Wineseller and Angelino’s Piattion Ristorante at 20 Church Street in Waynesville will be hosting live music every Friday night in December. Call ahead for reservations if possible at 828-452-0593.

December 22

December 22 Santa will be strolling the street in Downtown Waynesville from 6 until 8pm. This is sponsored by the Downtown Waynesville Association.

December 24

December 24 Santa will be strolling the street in Downtown Waynesville from 11:30am until 2pm. This is sponsored by the Downtown Waynesville Association.

December 31

December 31 Smoky Mountain Sk8way will have a New Year’s Eve Party starting at 6pm. Check their Facebook page for details.